Race to the couch for a big weekend of motor sport action

SEND the kids to the grandparents, stock up the fridge, switch off your phone and reserve your place on the sofa, motor sport fans are in for a treat this weekend.

Not only is there the glitziest Formula 1 race of the season live from Monaco, America's biggest race, the Indianapolis 500, is also being held, as is the full day endurance epic the Nurburgring 24 Hour. All over one weekend.

With the events in Europe and America there'll be plenty of nocturnal viewing for we Aussies to stay across it, but who needs sleep anyway?

The 2017 Monaco Grand Prix around the moneyed streets of Monte Carlo is being shown free-to-air live on Ten from 9.55pm until midnight on Sunday. Fox Sports channel 506 also has the race live at the same time, plus qualifying on Saturday between 10pm and 11pm, and all the practices and pit lane fun throughout the weekend.

Daniel Ricciardo of Australia and Red Bull Racing prepares to drive during qualifying for the Spanish Formula One Grand Prix at Circuit de Catalunya on May 13, 2017.Mark Thompson

Australian eyes will be on Daniel Ricciardo and his Red Bull Racing F1 car; the Perth native scoring his maiden pole position at last year's race, and was cruelly robbed of certain victory following a mistake by his pit crew.

The 2009 World Champion Jenson Button makes a welcome return to Grand Prix racing too, filling in at Monaco while McLaren Honda driver Fernando Alonso tries his luck at the Indy 500 for the first time.

The Spanish two-time World Champion has managed to negotiate a leave of absence from his F1 team to race in America. Alonso has qualified fifth fastest for the race, so is one of the pre-race favourites.

Fernando Alonso practising for the 2017 Indianapolis 500.

The Indianapolis 500 takes place on Sunday afternoon Indiana time, or from 2am on the morning of Monday May 29. It's live on Foxtel's ESPN2 between 2am and 5.30am.

If you're less keen on these big softie races that are over in a couple of hours, settle in for a full day of the Nurburgring 24 Hour.

BMW M6 GT3 prepares for the 24-hour race at the Nurburgring.

Held on the most infamous race track in the world, the hardcore enduro is being run for the 45th time in 2017, and some 200 cars will battle the circuit, elements, darkness and Euro techno-music loving German fans.

Foxtel is once more your friend if you want to watch it on television, with live action on beIN Sports3 on Saturday from 11pm until 1.30am and on beIN Sports1 on Sunday from 4.30pm until 7pm and 9.30pm until 11.55pm.

No Foxtel? Catch the live stream at 24h-rennen.de/live-timing-ticker.

So cancel the kids' parties and visits from the in-laws, there's too much motor sport to enjoy.